Kentucky Guard > News - Category Air Guard

Kentucky National Guard hosts Ecuadorians for interagency operations exchange
August 23, 2024 — The Kentucky National Guard hosted Ecuadorian military and civilian officials for a subject matter expert exchange focusing on interagency operations and communications in a domestic operational environment Aug. 5-9... MORE

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Carolyn Peabody, a member of the 123rd Airlift Wing’s Fatality Search and Recovery Team, discusses the unit’s personal protective equipment with a group of Ecuadorian military and civilian emergency management officials during a tour of the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Aug. 6, 2024. The Ecuadorians were visiting as part of the State Partnership Program to learn more about the Kentucky Guard’s emergency response capabilities and interagency cooperation across the state. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

New headquarters building promises enhanced capability for Kentucky Guard
August 16, 2024 — The Kentucky National Guard dedicated a state-of-the-art office building in Frankfort, Kentucky, Aug. 13, 2024, to serve as home to Joint Force Headquarters, marking a new era of increased operational capability, officials said... MORE

Officials cut the ceremonial ribbon to dedicate a new Kentucky National Guard Joint Force Headquarters building at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky., Aug. 13, 2024. The 63,000 square-foot, $15.9 million facility marks a new era of increased operational efficiency, with the top command elements of both the Kentucky Army and Air National Guard being located at the same site for the first time. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

223rd Intelligence Flight deactivated, ending two decades of decorated service
June 25, 2024 — The 223rd Intelligence Flight was formally deactivated during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base on April 19, 2024... MORE

Kentucky Alpha competes in 53rd Winston P. Wilson Small Arms Championship
May 10, 2024 — Four Soldiers from the Kentucky Army National Guard competed in the 53rd Winston P. Wilson (WPW) national rifle and pistol marksmanship championship in Camp Robinson, April 27-May 3. This event, hosted and sponsored by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center and the 233rd Regional Training Institute Sniper Instructors, exemplifies the high-level training designed to enhance and ensure the National Guard is a lethal and ready force that is capable of addressing our nation's challenges. There were 192 competitors that attended this year's event, making 48, four-man teams. They traveled from 44 states and territories and included U.S. allies from as far away as the Netherlands... MORE

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Adam Brown receives the Chief's 50 badge for marksmanship excellence during the Winston P. Wilson Championship hosted by the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center in Camp Robinson, Arkansas, from April 27-May 3, 2024. The WPW competition showcases the adaptiveness, resilience, and lethality of our forces, affirming the readiness of National Guard citizen-Soldiers to meet the nation’s challenges. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Destini Keene)

Kentucky Guard honors late pilot held prisoner during World War II
December 22, 2023 — There can be little doubt that the spirit of U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jack Henry Owen is alive and well today, nearly 11 years after the former World War II bomber pilot passed away at the age of 92. On Nov. 13, the adjutant general of the Kentucky National Guard presented his family with a posthumous Prisoner of War Medal here, during a ceremony held in Owen’s long-time family home. Owen, who retired from military service in 1972 after more than 24 years with the Kentucky Air National Guard, spent 21 months as a prisoner of the German military during World War II. He was not awarded a POW Medal at the time because the honor did not exist until 1985... MORE

A ceremony to present a posthumous Prisoner of War Medal to the family of U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jack Henry Owen was held at this historic home in Cynthiana, Ky., Nov. 13, 2023. The structure, erected in 1858 and now operated as a bed and breakfast, was Owen’s home until his death in 2013. Owen, who served in the Kentucky Air National Guard for more than 24 years, rising to become assistant adjutant general for Air, was piloting a B-17 Flying Fortress over Hamburg, Germany, on July 25, 1943, when the aircraft was shot down, and he remained a POW for the duration of World War II. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Kentucky National Guard selected as top command
October 31, 2023 — The Kentucky National Guard has been awarded the 2023 Association of the United States Army’s trophy for best National Guard command... MORE

A C-130-J Super Hercules aircraft awaits the next sortie on the flight line of the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 14, 2023. The Louisville-based 123rd Airlift Wing was just awarded its 20th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award — a record among C-130 airlift units. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

Kentucky University opens doors for Guardsmen
September 27, 2023 — Kentucky’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Hal Lamberton, was joined by NKU’s Interim President Bonita Brown, in signing the Memorandum of Understanding... MORE

Kentucky’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Hal Lamberton, was joined by Northern Kentucky University's Interim President Bonita Brown, in signing the Memorandum of Understanding at the University Center building on NKU's campus Sept. 27, 2023.

Profile: Keeper of the shop Alice: 26 years of service with AAFES
September 21, 2023 — With the closure of the PX Express closing down for good in Frankfort, annex manager Alice Wilson will be retiring from AAFES and moving on to look for work elsewhere... MORE

Wilson managed the store for almost 8 years and will be retiring from AAFES with the closing of the store.

END OF AN ERA: Boone Center shoppette set to close after 24 years
September 15, 2023 — After more than 24 years of service to patrons visiting the headquarters for the Kentucky National Guard, the AAFES Post Exchange will close its doors for good. ... MORE

The store had opened in 1999 and will be closing its doors for good Sept. 15, 2023.

More than 100 attend Kentucky National Guard Youth Camp
September 12, 2023 — More than 100 children and youth from Kentucky Army and Air National Guard Service members gathered for this year’s Kentucky National Guard Youth Camp in Nancy, Kentucky, from July 30 to August 4... MORE

Campers raise the U.S. flag during the 2023 Kentucky National Guard Youth Camp.

Aviation Brigade Demonstrates Combat Readiness and Integration During Warfighter 23-05 Exercise
July 3, 2023 — Acting as a combat aviation brigade at the corps level, the 63rd TAB successfully executed large-scale combat operations, showcasing their proficiency and tactical expertise in a realistic simulated battlefield environment. The exercise aimed to identify strengths and areas for improvement, enabling the units to fine-tune their tactics and ensure seamless integration with ground forces... MORE

The Watering Hole was open for lunch daily during the warfighter and was a moral boostSpc. Connor Ridings builds links on the ADSI (Air Defense Systems Integrator) to provide Command and Control data and track friendly and enemy forces activity within the airspace of the unit’s area of operations during the warfighter exercise May 27-June 13 at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.

Hartman retires after 23 years of service
June 23, 2023 — Chief Master Sgt. Donald J. Hartman, chief enlisted manager for the 123d Force Support Squadron, retired from military service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base May 21, 2023, ending a career spanning more than 23 years... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Donald Hartman, right, outgoing senior enlisted leader for the 123rd Force Support Squadron, receives a certificate of retirement from Lt. Col. Kevin Krauss, 123rd Contingency Response Support Squadron commander, during Hartman’s retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., May 21, 2023. Hartman is retiring after 23 years of military service. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

Kentucky Air Guardsman continues grandfather's WWII legacy
June 14, 2023 — Kentucky Air Guardsman honors grandfather's service legacy in Germany during Air Defender 23... MORE

Maj. Matthew Skeens, a logistics readiness officer with the 123rd Contingency Response Element from Louisville, Kentucky, stands by a memorial on Wunstorf Air Base, Germany, June 7, 2023. The stone commemorates those who served in the famous Berlin Airlift. Skeens, who is deployed here in support of Exercise Air Defender 23, holds a picture of his grandfather, U.S. Air Force pilot Kenneth Skeens, who flew in that mission 75 years ago from this base. Exercise Air Defender integrates both U.S. and Allied air power to defend shared values, while leveraging and strengthening vital partnerships to deter aggression around the world. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Senior Master Sgt. Vicky Spesard)

Kentucky Air Guard recognizes 2022 retirees
May 19, 2023 — Fifty-one retirees of the Kentucky Air National Guard were honored April 22 when a plaque bearing their names was unveiled during a ceremony at the 123rd Airlift Wing... MORE

The names of 51 Airmen have been added to a monument at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., recognizing service members who retired from the organization in 2022. The names, inscribed on a black granite plaque in front of the 123rd Airlift Wing’s Lt. Gen. John B. Conaway Headquarters Building, were announced during a ceremony at the base April 22, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard photo illustration by Dale Greer)

Andrews concludes 35 years of service to Guard, Reserves
May 16, 2023 — Chief Master Sgt. Scott Andrews retired from military service during a ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base April 29, 2023, concluding a career that spanned 35 years of service in the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserves... MORE

Chief Master Sgt. Scott Andrews, right, material management chief enlisted manager for the 123rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, receives the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal from Lt. Col. Leslie Brooks, 123rd LRS commander, during Andrews’ retirement ceremony at the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., April 29, 2023. Andrews is retiring after 35 years of military service. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Joshua Horton)

123rd Special Tactics facilitates aircraft operations on Wyoming highways
May 9, 2023 — Nineteen Airmen from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron made history near Riverton, Wyoming, April 30 and May 2, 2023, when they facilitated the landing of aircraft on two Wyoming highways for the first time as part of Exercise Agile Chariot... MORE

An MC-130J Commando II from the 1st Special Operations Wing takes off from Highway 287 in Wyoming during Exercise Agile Chariot on April 30, 2023, honing capabilities linked to Agile Combat Employment. Instead of relying on large, fixed bases and infrastructure, ACE employs smaller, more dispersed locations and teams to rapidly move aircraft, pilots and other personnel as needed. Under ACE, millions of miles of public roads can serve as functional runways with Forward Arming and Refueling Points when necessary. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Phil Speck)

Kentucky Guard serves at Derby
May 8, 2023 — Soldiers from the 617th Military Police Company provided security for the Derby from outside the track, conducted traffic control and augmented the Louisville Metro Police Department. Inside the Downs, the Soldiers of the 617th kept a close eye on the Kentucky Derby trophy as it was transported throughout the building and eventually to the winner’s circle prior to the race... MORE

Sgt. Matt Broce, with the 617th Military Police Company, puts the Kentucky Derby Trophy back in the box after showing it in the winner’s circle prior to the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky., May 6, 2023. The trophy is six pounds of solid gold and is awarded to the first-place winner of the Derby.

Kentucky Air Guard flies in Thunder air show
April 24, 2023 — This year’s Thunder Over Louisville air show, held April 22 along the banks of the Ohio River, featured more than 20 military and civilian aircraft, including a C-130J Super Hercules from the Kentucky Air National Guard, which served as the base of operations for military planes flying in the show. Other highlights included the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy's F-35 Lightning II Demonstration Teams, historic warbirds, and parachute demonstrations by the U.S. Army Golden Knights and the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron... MORE

A C-130J Super Hercules from the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing performs an aerial demonstration along the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Louisville, Ky., April 22, 2023, as part of the annual Thunder Over Louisville air show. This year’s event featured more than 20 military and civilian planes, from the latest-generation fighter jets to historic warbirds. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Dale Greer)

202nd Army Band plays for Military Day at Keenleland
April 16, 2023 — In the middle of it all was the Kentucky National Guard’s 202nd Army Band. The five Soldiers were on hand in the center of the walking ring near the entrance to the racetrack playing for the attendees when the gates opened before the races kicked off... MORE

The 202nd Army Band helped kick off the spring meet at Keeneland Racetrack as they opened their doors to all military members and their families to enjoy a day of fun, food and horse racing.

Kentucky’s Civil Response Team Hosts Multi-agency Exercise
March 17, 2023 — Around 20 Soldiers from the 75th Troop Command’s, 41st Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (CST), along with Soldiers from CSTs from seven other states’ National Guards, Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), conducted the one-day exercise in preparation for the Kentucky Derby festivities March 14... MORE

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